J Paul's Bar hearing to continue

by Celia Shortt

The Newnan City Council will continue its hearing to suspend or revoke the liquor license for J Paul’s Bar and Nightclub at their regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m.

The meeting will be in council chambers at City Hall on LaGrange Street.

The J Paul’s license was suspended at the city council’s meeting on Oct. 8. after Mayor Keith Brady suggested and the council decided to proceed with the scheduled hearing even though J Paul’s General Manager Mike Gullatt requested a continuance from the council because the licensee of the bar, Paul Marmol, was out of the country. The bar is located on Jackson Street near Millard Farmer Industrial Boulevard.

Newnan City Attorney C. Bradford Sears Jr. recommended to the council that it grant the continuance until the next city council meeting on Oct. 22.

“My concern with the continuance is that they will continue to do the same thing,” said Councilman George Alexander.

Legally, the continuance would allow Marmol to be present and available for cross-examination by the city council. It would also remove the liability of him claiming he was not there to speak on his behalf.

Marmol’s attorney was notified of the Oct. 8 hearing and was not present. Marmol is legally allowed to have representation at the meeting, but he did not. Gullatt found out about the hearing on Thursday and was there to simply ask for a continuance and give a report on the food sales.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the council voted unanimously to suspend the J Paul’s alcohol license until 10:30 a.m. on Oct 23, subject to reconsideration of any additional penalty or reinstatement at the Oct. 22 meeting.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the city council will also hear a motion from Newnan City Manager Cleatus Phillip to approve the ordinance authorizing the City of Newnan to enter into an Intergovernmental Contract with the Downtown Development Authority, authorizing execution of a Tax Certificate, and authorizing the terms of the Loan and Security Agreement. This ordinance is needed for the UWG Newnan Hospital Redevelopment Project.

Other business at Tuesday’s meeting will include:

• The council will vote to approve a resolution by the mayor and city council for a grant application, requesting funding through the 2013 STRA GTIP Program for the city of Newnan’s proposed McIntosh Parkway Extension. They will also vote on authorizing staff to move forward with it.

• The council will vote on Component Change Order #1 for the Hospital Redevelopment Project in the amount of $1,815,006 which includes the environmental abatement, demolition, roofing, and pro-rated construction management fees. It has been accounted for in the overall $15,000,000 million project budget.

• A public hearing for a rezoning request from Jeff Duncan to rezone 1.034 acres located at 370 Millard Farmer Industrial Boulevard from Heavy Industrial to General Commercial, allowing commercial businesses on-site will be held.

• A public hearing/ordinance for proposed revisions to Chapter 3 and 21 of the City’s Zoning Ordinance regarding Brewpub and Growler establishments will be held.

• City council will schedule public hearings for 4 Dewey Street and 16 Boone Drive.

• A public hearing for a resolution to repair or demolish 125 LaGrange Street will be held.

• City council will hear a request from Barbara Wiley on behalf of the neighborhood on Wesley and College Streets to block the streets between Brown and Wesley and College between Temple and Washington from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for safety during Halloween.

• City council will hear a request from Stalwart Film LLC to film scenes for the AMC television series “The Walking Dead,” currently scheduled for Oct. 24 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.